LACMA's David Geffen Galleries invites visitors to get lost and move through art without a set path.

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) has opened its new David Geffen Galleries building to the public. Designed by architect Peter Zumthor, the 900-foot-long structure features a non-linear, single-level layout with abundant natural light, intentionally encouraging visitors to wander without a set path. The inaugural exhibition, organized by 45 curators, abandons traditional art historical categories in favor of a thematic presentation centered on major bodies of water and global trade routes.

This opening represents a radical architectural and curatorial experiment for a major American museum. Funded by a $150 million donation from David Geffen, the building's design and the exhibition's thematic approach challenge conventional museum hierarchies, aiming to create a more fluid and experiential engagement with art. It reflects a significant shift in institutional philosophy towards decentralized narratives and sensory immersion.